Notes, Critical and Explanatory, on the Holy Scriptures

V. Eductis de careers. H. P. do not state that he brought them out of prison, which, however, is manifestly implied.

Ruben, using his authority as head of family, places the life of his two sons in the hands of his father, offering to leave them as hostages, to forfeit their lives in case he should fail to restore Benjamin to his father. This power, and its exercise in such a case, are suited only to an imperfect social state.